WATERBURY -- Sacred Heart High coach Jon Carroll put into words the thoughts of most city basketball fans: "If things work out, hopefully we get to see them again."

In other words, Carroll, all of Sacred Heart, coach Nick Augelli and all of Crosby, and every one of us who live and breath in the city would love to see a third game between the Hearts and the Bulldogs.

In our wonderful and intense world of high school boys basketball, city fans now enjoy another season series between outstanding teams.

There seemed little chance that we could expect a repeat of the brilliant basketball that Crosby and Wilby delivered in 2013. But gosh darn it, here we go again. This time, it is Crosby and Sacred Heart. The teams have split two regular-season games and appear destined to meet again in a Naugatuck Valley League tournament title game.

The Bulldogs and the Hearts are the two best the NVL have to offer. Certainly, Kennedy, Wilby and others have the talent to win against any opponent on any given night. However, there are two teams that have captured our attention: Crosby and Sacred Heart.

And as Coach Carroll said, if things work out ...

In the crowd: I did not see them myself, but fans told me that the Terryville boys basketball team attended the Crosby-Sacred Heart game Tuesday. The Kangaroos will play in the Class S state tournament along with the Hearts.

The 'Roos now know that a daunting task is ahead.

Also, former Torrington star John Strawson was at the game. He is head coach at the Forman School in Litchfield and Coach Strawson brought along all the lads.

Should have bought a ticket: The winning dollar figure in Tuesday's 50-50 raffle was $306.

City traffic: I have lived in this town all of my life, but was I smart enough to avoid the traffic mess that torments I-84 every rush hour? Of course not.

Late-arriving fans to Crosby suffered as well. Traffic was snarled and backed up out of the Crosby entrance driveway on Pierpont Road. It stretched all the way back to East Main Street.

You have to love a big game.

The usual suspects: There are hoop fans who rarely miss the big ones, and they turned out again for the latest city epic. Former city parks director Sam Leisring routinely attends city games and he was in the Palace. Actually, it would be news if Sammy wasn't there.

Waterbury Mayor Neil O'Leary was in the Palace, as was his chief of staff, ardent Crosby fan Joe Geary. Geary had a seat. The mayor had to stand. That tells you who has the juice in this town.

Also on hand were the state's biggest high school hoop fans, bar none, no question, Frank and Sheila Beneski. The Suffield couple are at every big game in this state. They have already taken in at least three city games this season. Along with Tuesday's game, they were spied at the first Crosby-Hearts game and also the first Crosby-Wilby game, always in the front row, always keeping score and taking notes.

Stars came out: Former city stars in the gym included Jayson Johnson, the Lotts, Phil and Keith, Marcus Robinson and also former Hearts and San Diego State star Kelvin Davis. Current Hearts player Malik Petteway is Davis' nephew.

Kudos to the crowd: Once again, city fans deserve our praise. Once again, city fans cheered for both teams, not against. Once again city fans were passionate but respectful. Stories that come out of gymnasiums around the state often tell a different tale.

Time and again in our big events, city spectators demonstrate that they are true fans of the game, with a rooting interest for sure, but with a healthy admiration for all of our city kids, no matter the uniform.

Final word: Carroll had the first word, and we will let him have the last word, too. After Tuesday's game, Carroll said: "The crowd was tremendous and the atmosphere great. It was a great night in the city."

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